LynxSecure Delivers Multilevel Security for the Navy’s Zumwalt-Class Destroyers

The U.S. Navy’s Zumwalt-class destroyers demanded an advanced solution to enable secure, multilevel operations in high-assurance environments. LynxSecure provided unparalleled partitioning and virtualization technology, empowering the Navy’s Common Display System (CDS) to meet its mission-critical requirements.
US Navy

How the U.S. Navy Secured Its Mission with Lynx

The Zumwalt-class destroyer, a next-generation naval platform, faced a complex challenge: integrating a Common Display System (CDS) capable of securely handling multilevel operations. LynxSecure, the high-assurance separation kernel hypervisor, was selected to deliver advanced security and operational integrity. By leveraging Lynx’s cutting-edge virtualization technology, the CDS achieved unprecedented reliability, ensuring that the Zumwalt could operate seamlessly across Secret, Top Secret, and Classified environments.

 

About The U.S. Navy

  • Industry: Defense
  • Scope: Zumwalt-class destroyers and broader naval modernization initiatives
  • Key Project: Common Display System (CDS), a high-assurance workstation designed for multilevel access and robust cybersecurity.

Challenge

Modernizing Naval Systems with Multilevel Security

The U.S. Navy’s Zumwalt-class destroyers required a Common Display System (CDS) capable of securely managing simultaneous applications across multiple classification levels. The stakes were high: safeguarding mission-critical data, ensuring operational reliability, and achieving compliance with stringent security standards. Conventional systems were inadequate for the task, leaving the Navy vulnerable to cybersecurity threats and operational inefficiencies.

Solution

LynxSecure: Unrivaled Security and Partitioning for CDS

LynxSecure emerged as the ideal solution to address these challenges. By providing a secure partitioning framework, it enabled the CDS to:

  • Run multiple guest operating systems on shared hardware without compromising security or reliability.
    What it means: Streamlines operations, reduces hardware costs, and ensures robust cybersecurity for all classification levels.
  • Achieve EAL-7 evaluation, the highest assurance level in multilevel security systems.
    What it means: Confidence that sensitive data remains secure across Secret, Top Secret, and Classified environments.
  • Implement cutting-edge virtualization to optimize system performance while maintaining strict security policies.
    What it means: Supports efficient multitasking and reduces integration complexity.

LynxSecure’s modular approach, built with a safety-certification pedigree, ensured seamless integration into the Navy’s Open Architecture Computing Environment.

Results

Unparalleled Security and Operational Excellence

LynxSecure empowered the U.S. Navy to:

  • Enhance mission-critical security by securely managing multilevel operations.
  • Improve system reliability while reducing hardware dependencies.
  • Streamline compliance with defense-grade standards, including FACE and MOSA directives.

The Navy now operates a high-assurance workstation that safeguards sensitive data and supports the Zumwalt-class destroyers' demanding operational needs.

Secure Your Mission Today with Lynx

Don’t leave your mission-critical systems vulnerable to cybersecurity threats. With LynxSecure, you can achieve multilevel security and operational excellence.